SCHOOL DISTRICT ADOPTS NEW ATHLETIC DRUG PREVENTION PROGRAM

Lincoln County School District (LCSD) athletes will have to take part in a
new drug prevention program this fall that could have financial
consequences for the families of those who violate its terms.

The LCSD Board of Directors voted to adopt the Life of an Athlete (LOA)
program on June 23.

During a presentation on LOA the previous week, the board learned that
there were 57 drug and alcohol violations at school during the 2008-09
school year. Local law enforcement agencies recorded 74 minor in
possession (MIP) citations during the same period.

Further illustrating the need for a strong prevention program were the
results from the Oregon Healthy Teen survey of 11th grade use of drugs
alcohol. Among teens surveyed, 25 percent admitted to using marijuana in
the previous 30 days. Forty-five percent said they had consumed alcohol
and 22 percent said they had used tobacco.

Described as a comprehensive school and community approach to confront
chemical health issues, Life of an Athlete was developed by John
Underwood, president of the American Athletic Institute (AAI), and is used
in school districts throughout the United States.

The Lincoln County Commission on Children and Families is providing
funding for the program through a federal Drug Free Communities grant and
has collaborated with the Partnership Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse
(PAADA) to provide an LOA community coordinator. There is zero cost to the
school district in adopting the program.

Life of an Athlete consists of five key components:

* Parent involvement

* Coach engagement

* Youth leadership

* Student accountability

* Community support

Instead of just signing a permission slip for their students to
participate in athletics, LOA requires parents to attend a mandatory
meeting on the program before signing a contract acknowledging their
understanding. Students who violate the student code of ethics will be
required to meet with a substance abuse evaluator at the family's expense,
meet with law enforcement officials, and write a letter of apology.

Four district administrators and the PAADA LOA coordinator spent three
days in mid-June at the AAI's Lake Placid, New York, headquarters
receiving training on the program. In turn, they will pass on their
training to coaches. Using scripted power point presentations, coaches
will review the program with their athletes and parents.

Wendy Rudy, the LOA coordinator, said the program has a strong educational
component, and is more than just negative consequences for violations.

"It addresses chemical health," she said. "What students don't know is
that one night of binge drinking destroys 14 days of training. That's
something for them to think about, all that work training can be gone in a
night."

Many parents are unaware how teen drinking habits have changed since they
were in high school, Rudy said. "The frequency of drinking and the amount
consumed has increased. The sole purpose for many is to get as drunk as
they can as quickly as they can."

Student leaders chosen by coaches will receive training in confronting
their peers over behavior of concern.

For instance, if athletes encounter alcohol or drugs at a party, student
leaders would remind them that they've signed a pledge not to use drugs or
alcohol. If persuasion doesn't work, the student leaders will have an
obligation to report the prohibited behavior.

Rudy hopes that businesses will help stem substance abuse among athletes
by volunteering to help with post-game activities, a time when parties
frequently occur.

Adoption of Life of an Athlete puts the school district in compliance with
Oregon laws requiring that schools have programs designed to prevent the
use of performance enhancing substances as well as drugs and alcohol.